Four assaults on women in last three weeks

The lengthy sentences handed down today for the gang rapes of two European tourists in May last year come in the wake of four assaults on women in Alice Springs in the last three weeks.

September 26: an 18-year-old man appeared in the Magistrates Court charged for the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old female at around 7pm the night before in a park in Sadadeen.

September 20: General Duties Police arrested a 26-year-old man wanted for the aggravated assault of a 19-year-old girl in Alice Springs the previous day. It allegedly took place behind the post office in the Alice Springs CBD at approximately 12.20pm. The offender was described as an Aboriginal male, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, medium build, approximately 190cms tall, very dirty appearance wearing a black or brown shirt and dark pants.

September 17: Police released a comfit of a man they wanted to speak to in relation to the indecent assault of a 24-year-old woman. The woman was walking along Kempe Street at around 6:30am on Saturday 14 September when she was approached from behind by an unknown man. The offender proceeded to indecently assault the woman. Using self defence tactics the woman was able to escape. He was described as being of Aboriginal appearance, between 20-30 years old medium build, approximately 175cm tall with wavy black hair.

September 9: Police reported that they had arrested and charged four men in relation to the sexual assault of a 20-year-old woman in Alice Springs on the night of September 5. The four men were aged 22, 21, 20 and 18 years.

The 18-year-old man also had two outstanding arrest warrants for two previous sexual assaults, which occurred in February 2013 and November 2012. He was charged with sexual intercourse without consent (x4), robbery and providing a false name and was remanded to appear in the Magistrates Court . The other three were charged with sexual intercourse without consent (x4) and robbery and were also remanded to appear in court.